Plant alum Turner Ashby 2G/5GBs/1CTO, Creekside alum Mana Wilhem 1G/2A, AH-Plantation alum Jake3 Marek 19 saves for Air Force.

via the JU press release/website

BOX SCORE

Dolphins Battle Back in ASUN Victory Over Air Force

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. —A fourth-quarter comeback gave the Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse team a 10-9 win over Air Force. It was the first conference loss of the season for the Falcons as JU moves into a tie for first in the ASUN standings. 

The Numbers
Jacob Greiner led the way on a tough day on offense for both sides, scoring a team-high three goals and adding in a team-high in assists with two. Greiner did it all for the Dolphins, grabbing five ground balls in the game, trailing Ryan Della Rocco, who finished with seven.

Aaron Toguri led the team in caused turnovers with two as JU once again produced a critical defensive effort.

How it Happened
The fourth-quarter comeback was led by Greiner and company, culminating in an overtime game-winner by Anthony Caputo. It was a slow start for Jacksonville, as Air Force jumped out to a five-goal lead in the first half, holding JU scoreless until the 2:07 mark of the second.

A pair of goals before the halftime break from Jack Taylor and Dalton Hubbs gave Jacksonville much-needed momentum heading into the second half.

A back-and-forth third quarter finished with a Nicky Brown goal with 2:07 left in the third, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Both sides earned a pair of goals in the quarter.

The Dolphins would need a hero in the fourth. Jackson Intrieri and Jacob Greiner would emerge, with Intrieri making it a 7-5 game 46 seconds into the fourth and Greiner cutting the deficit to one off an assist from Intrieri with 10:26 left in the fourth.

Air Force would add two to the lead to make 9-6 with 7:13 remaining, but JU would not be denied. Greiner answered at the 5:15 mark, and Ethan LaMond brought the deficit to one moments later.

Intrieri, with 1:48 left in the game, found another, tying the game for the first time since the opening faceoff. A pair of possessions for both teams ended with no goals, sending the Dolphins to overtime for the second time this season.

In overtime, Anthony Caputo launched a shot from range, zipping past the Air Force goalie and into the back of the net for the victory.

Head Coach John Galloway
“Today was a cultural win for our group. Things were not going our way, and we continued to believe in each other until the final play. The best part is we are still growing in areas as we go into the final week of the regular season.

I have to recognize some special performances today, notably on the defensive end. Ryan Della Rocco and Aaron Toguri stood tall against an elite offense and made the stops we needed to give us a chance to make a comeback. 

Anthony Caputo’s last shot was symbolic of our effort throughout: keep believing. Now we turn the page quickly to a skilled Bellarmine team on our home turf next Saturday.”